News Story:
This year marks a significant milestone in the UK’s human rights journey, as we celebrate 75 years since the European Convention on Human Rights and 25 years of the UK Human Rights Act. These landmark achievements have safeguarded dignity, fairness, and accountability for generations and have been the foundation of our democracy.
However, instead of celebrating this momentous occasion at home, the UK Government will be attending a Council of Europe meeting on 10 December, prompted by calls to limit rights protections in migration cases. This has raised concerns among civil society that the Government may be paving the way for a retreat from universal protections.
Over 175 organisations from across the UK, including Liberty, Amnesty International UK, Parkinson’s UK, Kinship, Mind, and Carers UK, have come together to issue an open letter to political leaders. The letter urges them to strengthen, rather than weaken, the frameworks that underpin our democracy and protect the rights of all individuals.
The letter calls on leaders to publicly reaffirm the UK’s commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the Human Rights Act. It also urges them to reject any proposals that seek to weaken these frameworks and instead invest in their implementation to ensure that communities and public bodies have the knowledge and resources to uphold rights in practice.
Sanchita Hosali, CEO of coordinating organisation, the British Institute of Human Rights, said, “Human rights are not the problem – they are the solution. They are the rules that keep our democracy decent and our society fair.” She went on to say, “Framing rights as an obstacle to immigration control…sets us on a dangerous and slippery path, with a destination that risks dismantling decades of progress.”
Recent political briefings have suggested that the UK Government may explore ways to limit obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights in immigration cases. This move has been met with concern as undermining rights for some would strike at the heart of universal human rights for everyone.
The letter also highlights the wider impact of such a move, beyond immigration, and how it could affect fairness, dignity, and accountability across UK society. Any attempt by the UK Government to dilute or sidestep its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights would not only undermine protections at home but also damage the UK’s standing as a global leader in human rights.
The signatories of the letter call for hope and leadership, stating, “As fear and division threaten to take hold, we can choose to step forward together in support of universal human rights, confident in the values that have long defined us.”
For media enquiries, please contact Sanchita Hosali or Carlyn Miller on press@bihr.org.uk or cmiller@bihr.org.uk or 020 3039 364. Interviews and quotes from signatories can be arranged, and analysis on the wider impact beyond immigration is available.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.